4 Activities to Keep Your Family Fit

If you ever flew a kite as a child, you probably remember the thrill and sense of accomplishment when your kite caught the wind and soared to amazing heights. Not only is kite flying a great way to spend an afternoon with family and friends, it is also a good workout for your core and helps improve balance and stability. Not to mention, it's just plain fun.

Hiking is a great way to enjoy nature, breathe in some fresh air, and maintain fitness. Often when we think of hiking, we think of long treks through the wilderness with a backpack full of survival gear. But hiking can be a much simpler endeavor thanks to the thousands of city, county, and state trails available across the country. TrailLink is an excellent online resource for finding trails. One of our favorite hikes is along the "Rails to Trails" system that is growing in popularity in the U.S. These trails have been converted from old, unused railways and are typically smooth and flat.

Training for and participating in a 5K as a family can be a fun experience that isn't as difficult as you might think. Even if you or your family members are couch potatoes, there are some great training programs available that can have you running a 5K within 8 weeks. Running a 5K with family or friends is also a great way to set and achieve a reasonable fitness goal together. Here are some great tips to get you started!

Did you know that badminton is an Olympic sport? It is also a great way to spend time with family and friends while getting exercise. And badminton doesn't require much equipment. Yes, you can purchase elaborate badminton kits with nets and boundary markers, or you can simply use some racquets and a birdie. In China it is common to see people young and old playing badminton on the sidewalk with no net!

Brian DeLay is an airline pilot living in the Midwest with his wife and three children. As an avid runner and cyclist he has completed numerous half-marathons, marathons, and cycling "century" rides, and serves as the race director for the Run for the Ridge 5K. His favorite activities are those he shares with his family. Visit Brian on Google+

Holly had admitted before that she needed to lose a few pounds, and John was simply trying to help. Let’s face it. Encouraging your spouse to embrace health and fitness is a sensitive subject, and a wise person will tread carefully!